Leadbetter was born in Edinburgh on 15 July 1928, the son of a local garage owner who had played for Bathgate.
[3] Leadbetter played for Murrayfield Athletic until the age of 17, when he started his National Service in the Royal Artillery.
Whilst in the Army he played for a Combined Services team managed by former Bolton and Liverpool player Johnny Wheeler.
[4] In July 1949 he signed for Chelsea,[5] but failed to claim a place in the first team, playing just three games in three years.
[6] He became a regular player at the Goldstone Ground, averaging a goal every four matches,[1] which saw him established as one of the best wingers outside the First Division.
He began to play deeper, threading through passes or providing crosses for the prolific goalscoring partnership of Ray Crawford and Ted Phillips.
[2] However, he was a skilful controller of the ball, good at spotting openings,[2] and was renowned as a fearless penalty taker,[3] Due to his thin legs, he gained the nickname "Sticks".